DM First Session Checklist

Before Your First Session

Use this checklist to make sure you are ready to run your first session in Dungeon Manager.

Campaign Setup

• Create a campaign — go to Campaigns and click New Campaign. Add a title, synopsis, and optional cover image.
• Invite your players (or add Placeholder PCs) — copy your invite link, launch a scheduling poll, or click Add 4 Placeholder PCs in the Party panel so Encounter Builder XP budgets and Combat Tracker work immediately while you wait for players to join.
• Wait for players to join — they will receive an email or join link and can claim an unclaimed party character in 1 click.
• Verify characters are assigned — each player should assign or claim a character in the campaign.

Session Prep

• Create your first session — click Launch Session 1 on your Campaign Hub (or Sessions / Session Plans pages) to auto-initialize Session 1 and open its linked Session Plan in one click.
• Build encounters — go to Encounters and create at least one encounter. Add monsters from the Compendium and check the difficulty rating.
• Create key NPCs — go to NPCs and add the NPCs your players will meet. Upload portraits if you have them.
• Set up locations — create the locations where the session takes place. Upload a map if you have one.
• Write a session plan — use the Session Planner to link your encounters, NPCs, and locations into a structured prep sheet.

Optional Extras

• Set up a calendar — create an in-game calendar to track dates.
• Create quests — add quests the party will discover.
• Upload a world map — add markers for your key locations.
• Configure Discord — add a Discord webhook URL to your campaign for session notifications.

During the Session

• Start combat from an encounter — click Start Combat on any encounter page. Optionally upload a battle map.
• Roll initiative — use Roll All Initiative in the combat tracker.
• Track HP and conditions — use the combat tracker to manage the fight.
• Place AoE shapes — use the Circle, Cone, Line, or Cube tools on the battle map.
• Log story beats — after the session, update the session record with a summary.

After the Session

• Award XP — update the session with XP awarded.
• Update quest status — mark quests as in progress or completed.
• Write a recap — add a session summary for your players to read.